‘Con women stole all my dad’s savings’

Laura Drysdale

An elderly grandfather was left “inconsolable” after conwomen got into his home and stole his life savings.

Two women, claiming to be from ‘the social’, knocked on the door of 86-year-old Ronald Perryman and told him they had been sent round to put some rugs down.

He let them into his home on Bridle Lane in Ossett and they laid two pieces of carpet, before asking for £50 for the work.

The women watched him as he retrieved the money from savings he kept at his address.

One woman then distracted him while the other took the rest of his money and they both suddenly left.

Mr Perryman noticed the cash was missing about ten minutes later and called the police.

His son Clive and daughter-in-law Denise were made aware of the scam by detectives the following day.

Denise said: “When we arrived at his home, he was just sat there sobbing into his hands. He was shaking.

“I sat and put my arm around him.

“The money was his life savings. He said it was going to be for his funeral and the rest was going to be left for us.

“He just kept apologising but we were telling him he had nothing to be sorry for.

“I have never seen him like that before. He was so upset.”

The theft took place between 2.30pm and 3pm on Monday, March 21.

Detective Inspector Dan Tillet of Wakefield District CID said: “This was a calculated and appalling offence committed against a vulnerable elderly gentleman.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information, saw two women behaving suspiciously outside the address, or may have been approached by two women selling carpets in similar circumstances to contact the police.

“I would also encourage neighbours and families to be vigilant on behalf of the elderly and vulnerable and to report suspicious behaviour to the police.

“This remains an active investigation and we hope publicity will open up further lines of enquiry for us to pursue.”

Denise added: “We couldn’t console him. What has happened to him is awful.

“We are so glad they didn’t hurt him but what they have done has definitely scarred him mentally.

“He doesn’t trust anybody anymore.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.